Tybee 500

The greatest distance race of the year starts today! This race was started by H16 racers going from the keys to the outer banks of NC. It was an endurance race and teams slept on the boat and sailed at night. Its not quite that today, but it is a very demanding 500 mile run up the coast of Florida and Georgia. Mishka is back and John Casey is racing a new boat from AHPC, the C2. Team Velocity, based in Raleigh, NC has four teams racing and I wish them all fair winds and following seas.

Interestingly, this was started as a Hobie 16 race yet today there will not be even one Hobie product on the line. Its a shame that Hobie NA is not involved in this event and it has become a NACRA I-20 event. I tried unsuccessfully to race my spin equiped H18 twice and they would not allow it, something about it not being a F18 and the race is not an open event. Guess I need to buy an I-20 if I want to distance race in the US.

This race is not about factory participation. I know NACRA has very little to offer in way of support anyway... doubt they are much involved, but that they built the boats. Its the sailors who have driven the boat selection, not the factory support. Its all about bigger and faster. The I20 is simply bigger and has more sail area than any Hobie offered.

Hobie USA has never been a sponsor of this sort of racing due to the risks involved.

We are providing 60 new H16s, through our Australasia facility, and support staff for the H16 Worlds this year in China. That's a much bigger impact for promoting Hobie sailing World Wide.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Class rules, are class rules... if a boat doesn't conform to the rules, then it's not class legal...

F18s will beat the I20, it's been proven time and time again. Sounds like you need to get an F18 for all the times you've been disallowed from racing from certain classes due to your frankenboat. I know where there's a decent Tiger for $7500 right now. That's probably less $$ than all of the modifications done to your boat. One Design AND Formula racing possibilities! No more of this 'ratings' business.

As far as high tech spin boats, the F18 is where it's at here in the US.

_________________
Sail Revolution
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If I didn't primarily sail off the beach I would consider a newer boat design. My H18 doesn't seem to mind a little rough landing or skidding, plus I just flat out enjoy the old girl.
And, not counting the Whirlwind main, I still have less than $4k in the whole boat. Not bad for a boat with as many upgrades as mine has. And I can convert it back to stock at anytime as I have a spare mast and all the rigging I removed.
I put my money on Mischka/Team Bugaboo but I am really interested to see how JC does on the new C2. Plus Trey Brown on Velocity 1 is crazy fast these days. Jake Kohl and Frank could come up and worry some folks too! It will all come down too the wind angles, the F18s can carry the spins higher than the I-20. Today is 15-20kts, tomorrow forcast is for stronger winds. Hollywood is a crazy start with wind on the nose!

There is one Hobie in the race I believe, Mischa is running the Wildcat. John Casey on the C2 and 2 Infusions.

_________________
Rich Vilvens
F-18 5150
[email protected]
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/f-185150sailing/

Looks like Bugaboo is a few miles ahead of #2.

http://www.tybee500.com/TybeeTracker

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Sail Revolution
Join us on our new FB Page!

Thanks for the update, on the Tybee site it just states F18 but I saw pics of JC with the Cap in the background. Mishcas pics didn't have a boat anywhere near. Bugaboo expected to land in less than 30mins.

Mischa is sailing WildCat 222.
+ 2 minutes on the first N-20 and +7 minutes over John Casey on the C2.
BTW that was with only one dagger today they broke one early.

_________________
Rich Vilvens
F-18 5150
[email protected]
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/f-185150sailing/

If it makes you feel any better, there will be a Hobie in the first ever Cuba Run 2010. I'm planning on doing it with my 2002 Tiger, 96 miles each way!

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Blair T

I love these calm moments before the storm, it reminds me of Beethoven...


'02 Hobie Tiger USA 1152

Wonder if the oil spill will affect that race or not. Have they gotten the clearance to go both ways? Last I heard it was going to be a one way race from Cuba back.

Both ways? Not.

The Tybee 500 is not a "two way" race.

Cuba is not involved...LOL

www.tybee500.com

The Wild Cat is still in the over all lead after 5 legs!

Next leg (Saturday) is 100 miles, so depending on the wind angle... The N20 does better in low to running directions. The wind is predicted to be lighter, so that too can be better for the N20s. Lets hope Mischa can hold on to take a win!

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Mischa is still in the over all lead after 5 legs. Throwing that dude on an Opti would probably yield similar results.

Mischa is incredible! He won it on "Undecided", a chartered I20 his first year as well. Velocity 1 is still looking good, Royal Yellow is more than capable as well. Light air is going to favor the 20's tomorrow, it will be interesting at least.

Mischa on the Wild Cat took first place... boat for boat!

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)